TPS Termination for Myanmar Triggers Fear Among Karen Families in Minnesota
The end of Temporary Protected Status for Myanmar is creating new uncertainty for Karen families who have built their lives in Minnesota. For some households, the change could mean reassessing work authorization, legal options, family plans, and what comes next after TPS protection expires.
A decision to end Temporary Protected Status for Myanmar has left Minnesota’s Karen community facing renewed uncertainty about their future in the United States.
The threat to lose TPS has caused families that fled violence and years of living in Minnesota to worry about detention, deportation and separation from loved ones. One of the largest groups among the state population are Karen.
This case is also unfolding at the same time as a lawsuit for termination. Even if the federal government announced the end of Myanmar's TPS, federal courts put a temporary halt to the end while the legal challenge continues.
Why Myanmar TPS Was Targeted?
In November 2025, the DHS stated that it was ending TPS for Burma because conditions there no longer merit its designation. The termination was to originally go into effect on January 26, 2026.
TPS provides legal status to individuals from specific countries and work authorization when returning home due to armed conflict or extraordinary conditions that make it unsafe to return. Without such protection, they may seek legal immigration status or face possible deportation.
The news of the announcement immediately triggered concerns in Minnesota because many people in the state have families with roots of displacement from Myanmar and conflicts. The Karen Organization of Minnesota noted that the country remained unstable, making it unsafe to repatriate there and expressed the need for humanitarian protections by the government.
Minnesota’s Karen Community Is on Edge
The Karen Organization of Minnesota estimates that there are over 20,000 Karen people living in Minnesota, making it the biggest Karen community in the United States. In addition, thousands of ethnic minority people from Burma (Karenni & Mon) reside in the state.
Arrivals were made by many Karen families that had been internally displaced due to conflict within Myanmar and other refugee camps. Returning to Myanmar is hard for those who have had homes, work and families in Minnesota for decades, and have thus far avoided any association with violence they fled.
Some Karen residents in Minnesota may be at risk of deportation if Myanmar TPS is terminated, warned the Minnesota Office of Ombudsperson for Families. Community leaders have also cited the ongoing humanitarian crisis as one reason that they think the protection should stay.
Immigration Visits Are Adding to the Fear
The confusion hasn't been confined to the official termination of TPS. Members of Minnesota's Karen community have also reported increased visits from federal immigration officials, including unannounced visits to people's homes, according to Sahan Journal.
The situation was causing “fear and anxiety,” for Karen residents with mental health professionals who assist them, the publication reported. The prospect of forced displacement and violence can trigger memories of what has been lost for those who have already suffered trauma from displacement or violence.
But it can also impact individuals who may be eligible for other immigration means.” Others may require legal counsel in deciding on their eligibility for asylum, adjustment of status, or another form of relief before deciding their fate in the United States.
The Court Fight Has Changed the Timeline
However, the federal government's original plan was not implemented as planned. A federal judge in Illinois on Jan. 23, 2026, postponed the conclusion of Myanmar's TPS assumption, which was the subject of a legal challenge.
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The district court subsequently stayed the termination through Aug. 7 pending its consideration of yet another request to extend the protection of TPS. This means that the end date of Myanmar TPS is still up in the air, not January's date as originally stated.
Work Permits Have Also Become Uncertain
Employment authorization also has been impacted by legal uncertainty. USCIS has informed applicants that, under court order, some EADs with previously issued expiration date will now remain valid.
As the cases unfolded, the government has multiple times updated the dates on I-9s and E-Verify form requirements for employers. Information regarding expiration of Burma TPS-related work permitted was once more changed in federal immigration guidance in July.
That adds another layer of uncertainty to the workforce and employers. While the employment document may have an old expiration date, it is crucial to follow the latest federal guidance and not only the date on the TPS card.
Why Returning to Myanmar Is a Concern?
The Karen Organization of Minnesota has identified the ongoing impacts of Myanmar's military coup last year as a key driver behind the protests against termination of TPS. Intermittent violence in the country has prevented many Burmese nationals from being able to return safely, the organization reports.
Many Minnesotans share the same concerns which have been picked up by state legislators. Myanmar continues to experience civil conflict, displacement and violence, so ending TPS would be a risk to members of the Karen community, said the state's Senate Asian Pacific Caucus.
Thus, it is not just about losing authorization to work for many Karen families. It is possible that those who have been able to establish stable lives in Minnesota might one day be expected to come back to a country they had fled for safety and security due to conflict.
What Happens To Karen Families Now?
Fighting for now is the focal point of the community's future. Groups for Burmese and Karen immigrants are still battling the decision to end the protection, as courts figure out just how far the federal government can push the end of the protection.
The Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM) has remained active in providing services to refugees and immigrants statewide as well. It serves over 2000 clients per year, and offers employment, social, health and youth-development services.
The Fear Goes Beyond TPS
The battle for Myanmar TPS has grown into a battlescape where the temporary nature of the immigration status was always meant to be temporary. It has stirred up once again fears among the Karen people in Minnesota that they will be deported to a land where for many they have lived and raised their families for years.
Originally, the termination date won't tell the whole story as the legal situation continues to evolve. Some protections have been temporarily maintained with court orders, appeals and federal rulings have influenced what lies ahead.
The information on this page is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Always consult a licensed immigration attorney or accredited representative before making any immigration decisions.
Last Updated: [August 2026] — This article reflects information available as of [August 2026]. Policies may have changed. Check USCIS.gov for the most current guidance.
